**Schmaltz: A Culinary Journey Through History and Flavor**
Schmaltz, also known as rendered chicken fat, is a culinary treasure that has been enjoyed for centuries across diverse cultures. This versatile ingredient holds a special place in Jewish cuisine, where it has been used for generations to add richness and flavor to a wide range of dishes. Our comprehensive guide to schmaltz takes you on a journey through its history, significance, and culinary applications. Discover the art of rendering chicken fat, explore various recipes that showcase its unique flavor, and uncover the secrets of using schmaltz to elevate your cooking. From classic dishes like matzo ball soup and latkes to modern culinary creations, schmaltz adds a touch of tradition and taste that is sure to delight your palate. Embark on this culinary adventure and experience the magic of schmaltz, a true testament to the enduring power of culinary heritage.
HOW TO RENDER CHICKEN FAT [SCHMALTZ]
How to Render Chicken Fat - a step-by-step tutorial on how to render chicken fat. Super easy and something every home cook should know!
Provided by Erin Jensen
Categories How To
Time 1h45m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place fat and skin in deep saucepan.
- Add enough water to barely cover the skin and fat.
- Simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add onion when fat is completely melted and skin has turned brownish, but has not burned.
- Continue to stir frequently as onion cooks, approx. 10-15 minutes.
- Add a pinch or two of kosher salt.
- Strain fat through fine mesh sieve.
- Use immediately or keep in fridge in airtight container for no more than a week or freeze for later use.
RENDERED CHICKEN FAT (SCHMALTZ)
Learn how to make and use rendered chicken fat, also called schmaltz, which is great for cooking traditional chopped liver and root vegetables.
Provided by Leda Meredith
Categories Ingredient
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place the fat and skin scraps in a heavy-bottomed, nonreactive pot ( cast iron , copper, and aluminum can give your schmaltz an off taste). Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the scraps render most of their fat and begin to brown.
- Add the onion, if using. Raise the heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken scraps are golden brown and crispy, but not burnt. Turn off the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Strain into a heatproof glass or Pyrex container. Canning jars work well for this. A fine-mesh strainer will work in a pinch, but cheesecloth or a paper or cloth coffee filter are best.
- Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 36 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 23 g, ServingSize 1 cup (16 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
SCHMALTZ (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT)
This is the ultimate way to prepare your schmaltz. Schmaltz is to Jews as bacon grease is to Southerners! Used in many traditional Jewish recipes to replace butter, which is "trayf" (butter is not to be served alongside meat products according to Jewish dietary laws). Try it, you will find it so tasty in many of your savory...
Provided by Esther Hardman
Categories Spreads
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- 1. Chop the frozen pieces of fat coursely, then put them in a skillet with enough water to barely cover. Place over low heat. The fat will start rendering when the water simmers.
- 2. When the fat appears about half rendered and the water has evaporated, add the onion, continue to cook until the crackling and onion are well browned.
- 3. Pour the fat through a strainer into a jar. It will keep in fridge for months. Save the onions and crackling to flavor dishes, or, since you are so AWESOME, sprinkle with a little salt and eat them before anyone finds out you have them.
SCHMALTZ (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT) RECIPE
A staple of Ashkenazi Jewish cooking, schmaltz made from rendered chicken fat takes some time, but pays off by adding tons of flavor to dishes like chopped liver and matzo balls.
Provided by Daniel Gritzer
Categories Ingredient
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, combine chicken fat and skin with just enough water to barely cover. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then lower heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until fat has mostly rendered, water has cooked off, and chicken skin and fat pieces are small, browned, and starting to crisp, about 50 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
- Strain rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) through fine mesh strainer and use as directed. Reserve crisped chicken skin, fat, and onion (called gribenes in Yiddish), if desired (they can be eaten as a snack with salt, or stirred into chopped liver).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 0 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 21 g, ServingSize Makes about 1 cup, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT)
The classic Jewish fat for use in meat dishes. The clarified fat is called "schmaltz," and the onion and crispy skin bits are called "gribenes." Gribenes are an essential addition to chopped liver and mashed potatoes (for knish or blintz fillings, or just for eating) or scrambled eggs. The water is necessary to keep the onions from burning before the fat melts. Serving size approx 1 tbsp.
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories European
Time 2h5m
Yield 1 pound, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Chop the fat into large chunks. Combine everything in a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook slowly 1 1/2 - 2 hours, until the water has evaporated, the fat is completely melted, and the onion has turned dark mahogany brown, but not burned.
- Strain the clear fat into a clean jar and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in refrigerator up to 3 months, or in freezer up to a year. The gribenes should be used within a few days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.4, Fat 15.1, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 12.9, Sodium 232.9, Carbohydrate 1, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.4, Protein 0.1
SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES
Schmaltz is rendered poultry fat, in this case made from chicken, while gribenes are its crispy, crackling-like byproduct that comes from bits of chicken skin. The key to this recipe is to go low and slow: You want the fat to cook gently and thoroughly so it renders completely without burning. Some would argue that the onion is mandatory and not optional, but if you plan to use the schmaltz for very delicate recipes, or sweet recipes (chilled schmaltz works wonderfully as the fat in pastry dough), feel free to leave it out. Your schmaltz won't have as deep a flavor, but it will be more versatile. Schmaltz will last for at least a week in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer. If your butcher won't sell it to you, the best way to obtain chicken skin and fat is to collect trimmings in the freezer every time you buy a whole bird. Or you can strip the skin and fat from chicken thighs and save the skinless meat to use in other recipes.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 1/2 cup schmaltz, 2 cups gribenes
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, toss chicken skin and fat with salt and 1 tablespoon water and spread out in one layer. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until fat starts to render and skin begins to turn golden at the edges.
- Add onions and cook 45 to 60 minutes longer, tossing occasionally, until chicken skin and onions are crispy and richly browned, but not burned.
- Strain through a sieve. Reserve the schmaltz. If you want the gribenes to be crispier, return to the skillet and cook over high heat until done to taste. Drain gribenes on a paper-towel-lined plate.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 249, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 0 grams, Fat 25 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 132 milligrams, TransFat 0 grams
SCHMALTZ (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT)
Schmaltz is highly flavorful rendered chicken fat often used in Jewish cooking. It's easy to make and worh the effort as it tastes quite a bit different than butter or other similar fats. Try it in chopped chicken liver (pate). If you are making chicken schmaltz at the same time as the chopped chicken liver, feel free to add the browned onions and cracklings to the liver in place of the sauteed onions.
Provided by TxGriffLover
Categories Chicken
Time 35m
Yield 1/2 cup
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Partially cover the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. The fat will begin to crackle as it cooks. When you no longer hear the fat crackle, remove the lid, reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook until the skin becomes crispy, about 15 to 25 minutes. Lower the heat, if necessary, to keep the skin from browning too quickly. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Strain into a small bowl. If desired, reserve the crispy skin. Refrigerate, covered for up to 1 week.
- Tip: Trim the chicken fat and skin from whole birds before roasting and store it in the freezer until there is enough to render, or ask your butcher for some.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 4178.4, Fat 453.3, SaturatedFat 135.3, Cholesterol 385.9, Sodium 7.8, Carbohydrate 22.2, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 9.4, Protein 2
Tips:
- Choose the right chicken fat: For the best schmaltz, use chicken fat that is fresh and has not been frozen. You can use the fat from any part of the chicken, but the fat from the thighs and legs is particularly flavorful.
- Render the fat slowly: Rendering the fat slowly over low heat will help to prevent it from burning and will give it a richer flavor. Be patient and don't rush the process.
- Clarify the fat: After the fat has been rendered, you can clarify it by straining it through a cheesecloth-lined colander. This will remove any impurities and give you a clean, clear schmaltz.
- Store the schmaltz properly: Schmaltz can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. You can also freeze it for up to a year.
Conclusion:
Schmaltz is a delicious and versatile cooking fat that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to add flavor and richness to your favorite recipes. Whether you are using it to fry potatoes, roast vegetables, or make matzo ball soup, schmaltz is sure to add a touch of magic to your meal. So next time you have some chicken fat on hand, don't throw it away! Render it into schmaltz and enjoy the delicious results.
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